f Toronto fans at Yankee Stadium.Happ (17-3) pitched into the eighth inning and extended the longest active winning streak in the majors. He struck out nine, walked on

ASHBURN, Va. -- Kirk Cousins worked his way up from not being heavily recruited to becoming the starting quarterback at Michigan State. At least he thought he had.Going into Cousins sophomore season in 2009, Keith Nichol transferred from Oklahoma, and it was game on.He took that as an insult and felt like he had to prove himself all over again and win the starting job there, then-Michigan State quarterbacks coach Dave Warner said last week. I think the same things happening right now at (the NFL) level. He had a very good year last year, but maybe people are wondering if he can do it again.Cousins was at his best when he was in prove-it mode in college and finds himself in a similar position as the Washington Redskins new franchise quarterback. A fourth-round pick in 2012, Cousins sat behind Robert Griffin III before winning the starting job a year ago. Cousins is unquestionably No. 1 but didnt get the long-term deal he wanted.Cousins is playing this season with the franchise tag -- which means a pretty good raise to $19.95 million -- and said he isnt lying awake at night worrying about his future. Instead, hes focused on the next step of becoming more consistent and earning a contract and elite status in the NFL.I had a four-year deal as a rookie, but it didnt feel like a four-year deal -- it felt like a one-day deal every single day I was here, Cousins said. I dont think things have changed a whole lot in that regard. Ive got to go out there and prove myself each and every game of every season. When you do that, I think the rest will take care of itself.At 28, Cousins has made the Redskins his team in his own way, less flashy than Griffin except for his demonstrative celebrations in games and on the practice field. He wants the Redskins to be the San Antonio Spurs of the NFL: somewhat boring and without drama but unflinchingly successful.While Cousins aims to get the job done without much fanfare, teammates and coaches see a defiant confidence in him. Coach Jay Gruden believes its at an all-time high but without cockiness.He also understands hes got a lot of work to do and hes not afraid to put the work in, Gruden said. Hes a gym rat, hes a film rat. Thats just what you need to be a successful quarterback in this league.The great quarterbacks are that way in their first year and in their 15th year. Thats the way you have to be at the position, and hes got the mental makeup to be a great one.Cousins believes hes better than he was a year ago -- I dont know how to measure it, but you give me a measuring system and maybe I can tell you, he said. Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh points to a comeback victory against Tampa Bay last season as a moment of growth for Cousins, who he said has the knowledge of the offense down and is working on different cadences, fakes and targets.Now Michigan States co-offensive coordinator, Warner sees Cousins more comfortable and willing to take off and run with the ball. Just as Cavanaugh believes no quarterback turns pro knowing how to do it all, Cousins remains a work in progress.The good thing about him is hes not content, Cavanaugh said. He sees a lot more improvement to be made, and thats what hes striving for. Being on the bench watching is OK, but theres nothing like getting your reps and making something happen to start to believe in yourself.Cousins threw for 29 touchdowns and a franchise-record 4,166 yards and had a league-best completion percentage of 69.8 in his first season as the starter. That made the Redskins decision to start him over Griffin look like a smart move.Not having to win the job at training camp, Cousins looked more relaxed and appeared to be having more fun.The biggest thing thats changed has been his confidence, running back Chris Thompson said. I think for him, also, its sort of a relief now because he knows hes the guy. At some point in their career, every quarterback wants to feel that because then the nerves sort of go away and theyre able to relax a little bit.While relaxed, Cousins is far from complacent though he can be comfortable in his job status. Teammates rallied around him as he led the Redskins to the NFC East title last season and Griffin is now in Cleveland.Hes the franchise quarterback, receiver DeSean Jackson said. He doesnt really have to worry about nobody on his heels and hes doing everything you ask to do in a franchise quarterback.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Buy Vans Old Skool Nz . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. Vans Old Skool Nz Sale . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. http://www.discountoldskoolnz.com/ .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Vans Old Skool Clearance . PETERSBURG, Fla. Vans Old Skool New Zealand . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss. NEW YORK -- Before this season, J.A. Happ had a career record of 62-61 with a 4.13 ERA. This year, hes putting up Cy Young Award numbers.Happ won his career-best 11th consecutive decision to become the first 17-game winner in the majors, pitching the Toronto Blue Jays past the New York Yankees 7-4 on Wednesday.Hes just turned into a better pitcher. Hes more of a command guy, Toronto manager John Gibbons said. Hes got a great feel. Hes doing a tremendous job.Melvin Upton Jr. hit a three-run homer and Darwin Barney had an early two-run double for the first-place Blue Jays, who hold a slim lead over Baltimore and Boston in the AL East. Russell Martin added three hits, including an RBI single off CC Sabathia, as the Blue Jays took two of three in the series, delighting a vocal contingent of Toronto fans at Yankee Stadium.Happ (17-3) pitched into the eighth inning and extended the longest active winning streak in the majors. He struck out nine, walked one and yielded solo homers to Gary Sanchez, Starlin Castro and Chase Headley.If you can try to limit them to solos, you give yourself a chance. Thats kind of what happened today, Happ said.Signed as a free agent in the offseason to a $36 million, three-year contract, Happ has won five straight starts. The 33-year-old lefty, who hasnt lost since June 6 at Detroit, is 3-0 in four outings against the Yankees this year.Hes dominant, teammate Josh Donaldson said. Hes just been doing his thing, day in and day out. Hes just been great.Happ hides the ball well and has a sneaky fastball that he moves all around and can elevate to get strikeouts. His big season is a continuation of his success down the stretch last year, when he went 7-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts after getting traded from Seattle to Pittsburgh.Hes a pleasure, man. Hes an absolute pro. As consistent as you can get, said Martin, the Blue Jays catcher. Hes got good stuff and hes aggressive, doesnt walk many guys. When they get runs, they have to earn them.Happ was lifted after Headleys infield single with one out in the eighth. Joaquin Benoit gave up an RBI single to rookie Aaron Judge that made it 7-4, but Roberto Osuna struck out Didi Gregorius on a 97 mph fastball with two on to end the inning.Osuna got four straight outs for his 27th save in 29 attempts.Martin hit an RBI single in the fifth that put Toronto ahead 4-2 before Upton broke it open with an opposite-field drive to right, the latest right-handed Toronto hitter to take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium over the past two days.It was Uptons first home run for the Blue Jays since they obtained him from San Diego in a trade July 26. He began the day batting .190 with two RBI in 58 at-bats for Toronto.Been waiting for it, and it finnally happened.dddddddddddd Obviously, it feels good, Upton said. Just trying to get going and help this team.Sabathia (7-10) lasted six innings in a bizarre outing. The big lefty struck out seven of the first 13 batters and finished with 12 strikeouts, his most in four years. But he was charged with a season-high seven runs and nine hits while losing his fifth straight start against Toronto.Theres no reason we shouldve given up more than four today. We had a tough day defensively that cost us, New York manager Joe Girardi said.Sabathia became the first pitcher in Yankees history to strike out at least 12 and allow seven earned runs.Yeah, its crazy. But Ill be back out there in five days and be ready to go, he said.DONALDSON DAY TO DAYDonaldson, last years AL MVP, was removed after six innings. The team said he jammed his right thumb in his final at-bat, a groundout to second.He couldnt hold the bat, Gibbons said.X-rays were negative and the slugger is day to day, according to Gibbons, who said Donaldson had a similar injury earlier this season and it didnt last long.Donaldson said he hopes to play Friday in Cleveland.Its obviously not the first time its happened this year, but it got me pretty good and I didnt want to do any further damage, he said.Donaldson was the DH, with Barney playing third base.TRAINERS ROOMBlue Jays: After going through a full pregame workout with the club Friday in Cleveland, theres a good chance CF Kevin Pillar (sprained left thumb) will head to Florida this weekend to play a couple of minor league rehab games, Gibbons said. The team hopes Pillar will be ready to come off the 15-day DL next Tuesday against the Angels. ... RF Jose Bautista (sprained left knee) is feeling better and theres an outside shot hell be ready to come off the DL after his 15 days are up on Aug. 25, Gibbons said.Yankees: LF Brett Gardner (ankle) was back in the lineup after missing four games. Gardner batted leadoff as Girardi rested CF Jacoby Ellsbury, C-DH Brian McCann and 1B Mark Teixeira against Happ.UP NEXTBlue Jays: Following an off day, Toronto begins a three-game series Friday night in Cleveland. LHP Francisco Liriano faces Indians RHP Trevor Bauer (9-5, 3.97 ERA). Liriano is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts for the Blue Jays since they acquired him from Pittsburgh at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. He is 6-12 with a 5.46 ERA overall.Yankees: New York plays 12 of its next 15 games on the road, starting with a six-game West Coast swing. After an off day, RHP Masahiro Tanaka (9-4, 3.40 ERA) pitches Friday night at the Los Angeles Angels against RHP Jered Weaver (8-10, 5.32). ' ' '